Electrical switching and testing device.



M. HUTGHI SON. ELECTRICAL SWITCHING AND TESTING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 21, 1905. 1,048,172. Patented Dec.24,1912.

- MW-wucutqq witnesses v movable members; 35 rangemcnt winch I havefound-a very conf rfiaof being combined witl f STATES PATENT OFFICE, f

MILLER EEEsE HUTCHISON, or nEoNxvmLE, NEW YORK.

ELECTRICAL S WITCHING' AND TESTING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Dec, 24,1912, .Applicationfiled October 21, @905. Serial No. 283,719.

To (ill whom z'tmay concern:v I Be it known that I, MILLER REEsE HUTCHI-soN, citizen of the United States, and resident of Bronxville, in thecounty of West- 5 chester and State of New York, have invented certainnew. and useful Improvements Relating to Electrical Switching andTesting Devices, of which the followlng is a specification. p Thisinventlon'relates to an electrical switch and means for testing polarityof current flow-,-t-h'e two being comblned in a single structure wherebythe current may be turned on and off or reversed at will, and'thepolarity-of the connection readily and accurately determined, eitherprior to or after connection of the leads to'the translating device orcircuit to be supplied with current.

One 'object' of my inventlo-n has been to produce a simple, compact,eflicient, selfcontainedswitch, with-i'nclosed and protected parts, 1

The switch consists prlmarlly of two relatively movable members, eachcarrying a .25 pair of terminals adapted to be brought into contact byrelative movement, which moveqnent may conveniently be about an axismidwaybetween equally spaced pairs of such terminals. The circuitconnection to such terminals maybe by suitable binding posts leading toor forming part of said terminals or extensions thereof and preferablyarranged, at the rear side of the relatively In the preferred arvenicntone. these terminal connections are so located, and are closed in bysuitable caps which may conveniently be ordinary stamped lamp socketcoverings, such as may 40v be bought in the. open market, though anytrical matters. I

- So far as concerns .its combination and use in' con-nection withthereversing switch, any olarity testing device may be employed, u't-Iprefer one dependingc for its operation kinds- I on electro-che'mical orelectrolytic decom'ppy sition to produce the indication, prefera onewhich gives its indication by a change of color .of the electrolyticmaterial and pref-' erably one,which operates by cathode reaction toproduce a precipitate or solution,

preferably ofmarked or striking color, ca-

pable of electro-chemical reversal by change of polarity to cause suchcoloring matter or solutionto disappear from the cathode.

In any event, I prefer to arrange matters so that butone electrode isvisible and also so that the visible indication shall always be the samefor the desired connection. I also prefer to use an absorbent body, suchas blotting paper, felt, mineral wool or unglaz ed' pottery saturatedwith an electrolyte, rather than a body of liquid; this latter may beemployed if desired. Such polarity testing device may be arranged"forconne'ction in series with the terminals or leads thereto, but in thepreferred form, it is arranged. in a normally open shunt across saidterminals or the leads thereto, and provided with some convenient meansfor closing the shunt through the testing device at the instant the userdesires to test polarity. With such connection,

been detcrmlned. v I

My combined polarity determining and reversing device is particularlyadapted for use in charging storage batteries, especially in smallplants or units where the supervision is commonly and in many cases,necessarily, in the hands of amateurs, as is the case, for

' instance, withstorage batteries used for elec-= tric launches and.automobiles, sparking-bat.-

8o the circuit need not be closed through the translating device or0011- sumption circuit until after the polarity hasteries for use inconnectionwith explosive motors on launches, automobiles and else where,and also for minor power purposes such as the running of small'motors oroperating phonographs or signaling instruments of various kinds, suchfor instance as my electrical-alarm horn usedon a'utomobiles, launches,etC;. Other uses 'too numerous to require mention will readily suggestthemselves to those familiar with the practical use of electricalappliances-of various Having described characteristics of my combinedpolaritydein a general way the termining and reversing switch, I willnow describe exactly the details of a convenientform in which thevarious functional features may be conveniently embodied, havingreference to the accompanying drawing, wherein- Figure 1 is a sideelevation, Fig. 2, an axial or longitudinal section of the device, Fig.3, a diagrammatic view indicating a desirable arrangement of the devicein circuit and connected up for charging a storage battery or similarconsumption devlce,

, skilled in the art.

In the drawings, particularly in igs. .1 and 2 thereof, the device isshown as comprising two axially alined cylindrical members 1 and 2,preferably of insulating mate rlal, such as hard rubber or porcelaincapable of relative rotary movement about an axially disposed couplingmember or swivel screw, 3, 'and carrying pairs of terminal members 4, 5and 6, 7 respectively. .The member 3, as shown, consists of a screw bolthaving a head, 8, adapted to be inserted through the counter-sunkopening, 9, in the rear of the member, 2. It is provided with a smoothshank, adapted to serveas a journal or axis, and a screw threadedreduced portion, 10, adapted to be screwed into the'insulatingmember, 1. The head forms a shoulder or swivel connection and the screwthreaded end is preferably reduced so as to leave a right angled annularabutment, 12, which may be secured tightly against the face of 1 to lockthe screw against tendency to rotary movement. Any other locking device5 or nut could be usedto serve an equivalent purpose, the arrangement ofthe parts of 3 being, broadly speaking, merely a convenient sw velconnection for the relatively movable members 1, 2. a The terminals 4, 5and 6, 7

ar. e,;prefera'bly parallel with the axis of the swivel and equidistanttherefrom in a dia- ;metric; plane passing -'therethrough; I pre- -ferto-, extend them through to the backside of the insulating. members 1, 2and to there provide suitable circuit connections as by binding screws13, 1:1, 15 and 16. The inner contacting portions or members of saidcontacting terminals "are preferably formed with shouldered enlargementsas at 17 to resist end thrust resulting from such presinterrupting thecircuit. "with this reversing switch a novel electrosure as is necessaryto insure good electrical contact. One or both pairs of terminals may beformed or constructed to insure a good contact across the space betweenthe two members, 1, 2. Thus one pair of said terminals, as for instance6, 7, may be provided with plungers, 19, preferably rounded at the endsand provided in the rear thereof with springs 20, 21, for forcing theminto contact with the mating terminals 1 and 5. The latter arepreferably formed with slightly concave ends for semi-positiveengagement with therounded outer ends of the plungers 19. The insulatingmember, 1, is closed in by a suitable casing which, as

previously stated, may conveniently be a.

covering such as is commonly employed for lamp sockets and preferablyconsisting of a cylinder 22 and cap 23. This casing is secured togetherand to the block 1 by suitable screws 24:, 25 in such manner that thecylindrical portion 22 laps over and covers the joint between themembers '1 and 2, thereby protecting the same from damage, as by dirt,

dust, etc.

A similar casing, 27, similarly secured, may also be used for the rearend of terminals 6, 7. In the form shown in the drawing, the cylindricalportion of this cap, 27 preferably extends over only a small portion ofthe length of the member 2. The

wires as 30, 31,- intended for connection to the supply members, may besecured to the binding posts 13, 14, after the manner of ordinary lampsocket connections, and like them, "may be knotted so as to form anenlargement inside of the cap 23, of suchsize that it willbe incapableof passing through theopening, 26, whereby any violent strains on thewires will not be transmitted to the binding post or binding screwconnection. The wires 32, 33 leading to the translating device orconsumption circuit, may be similarly connected and knotted at the otherend of the device. 5.,

The device thus constructed constitutes very simple and efficient form'of reversing 1 is desirable independently of whether or not it isdesired to utilize the reversing function,

rotation out-of the planeshown in "Figr'2 I- have combined lytic testingdevice arranged and operated in the simplest possible manner bothstructurally and functionally.- 10 is arece'ptacle,

preferably a depressed recess formed in the cylindrical block 2 andpreferably located at such a point'in the circumference as to cut intothe passage for the terminal 7, to

make electrical contact therewith, In the bottom of this recess, Iprefer to arrange a disk, 41, making electrical contact with 7,

ao y catho e or anode re-a'ct-ion/ and'serving as one electrodef'of thetesting" device. Outside of this is arranged a layer of absorbentmaterial, such as I blotting m'ember,43," preferably of phosphor-bronze,

drical portlon of the cap, 27, which forms an electrical connectionacross to, the L- shaped conductor, 28, contacting withsaid cylindricalportion and bent across the rear gside of the insulating member, 2, asat 29. Thisportion,,29, is'held in contact with the terminal 6, in anydesired way, as by solderlng or simply by the clamping action of theblnding sc'rew, 15. 'As indicated in the dial-- electrolyte in theporous bodycontact, 44, the spr1ng43, "the cap 27, connecting piece,.'28-29 form ashuntacross the termlnals may be closed fortestingpurposes.

6 and 7 which is normally op 'enbut which.

' the white.

change from white to The electrolyte employed may lie-phenol phthalin orany other electrolytic cli'romath cally or otherwise. changeablesubstance caable of iving a desired indfcation',.,either amongthes'e aresympathetic inks having co- 4' r w balt compounds as a basis. 'Thephenol -"phthalin'solution has some particular advantages in that thesolution marked red indication as a cathode re-acappear and the devicerestored to condition tion, the' liquid itself, being in ,smallquantities, is practically colorless. A solution of this. materlalisalso capable of practically 'complete' chemical reversal by reversalofcurrent, so that the color may be 'made'to disf f ther operation byrevf g e switch for a moment after using.

Thea bove characteristics I take advantage 4 lead are desirable for' thethe desired test re-action, indication'is obtained, or the reversalaction, whereby the solution is again rendered colorobvious that evenwith as gram of 3, the disk electrode 41, the" specificall differentresults Numberedv I gives a very age batteries, the positive pole .isusually painted red and marked so that the amateur has onl red. pole amlhe gets'the red test at the contact, 44. a While such materials asaluminum and anode plate, 41,

which ma be a leaf spring, provided withand phosphor-bronze for thespring contact, an inwar ly projecting bend or contact, any othermaterials desired may, be used and This spri is-seeure at .45 tothecyl1nthese may be varied to suit the particular electrolyte employed andthe" chemical re selection is that the material 0 anode and cathodeshall not deteriorate rapidly and so,

especially shall not interferewith or prevent whereby the color less. It"will be phenol phthalin, may be obtained by ren ering the entire bodyof electrolyte .in the absorbent body,

red, in the first instance, and making the test indication to consist ofIt is. obvious howeverthat the red is more positive and practically themore'desirable test.

hIn ractice, the automobilist may carry 't is and'33, andif desired,with socket:50 and plug 51 all connected up and ready for use with anysource of charging current. Wherever there is a directcurrentincandescent lam within reach, he may unscrew the lamp 52 rom its socket53 and screw it into "his socket 50 screwing his plug 51{into lam'p Thusarranged the lamp will socket 53. serve as a SBIfIGS IGSISta-lICB toprevent any excessive current flow in his storage battery. He may thentwist the two sections of his switch until the plungers 19, 20 indicatecon tact with the recesses vHe may then test by in the electrodes 4, ,5.depressin spring 42,,

to connect his red wire to the y turn the reversing switch until 70changing thevred to so I evice with attached "wires 30, 31-, ,32 96 5conditions, be capale of sufficient difl'usion job.

lends itself very readily .to' the further and, if'necessary, againtwist t e parts to reverse the connection untilthe proper rcdv testshows on the indicator. He may, then connect his red wire, 32,. to thered pole, 36, of the storagejbattery'and thewire, 33, to

' ofQin' the following manner :'I completely cover the anode, 41, withthe'porou's .ma- If teriaI, 42,- takingcare that-"this material'be jthick enough so that when the connections are made the wrong way, andthe normal a anode becomes a momentary cathode, the red depositswill beentirely concealed by the porous material and will not,'un'der' 'ordmarydirection of charging is as -it should be;

moreover, if there is any chance of the pofllarity of-t'he' supplycurrent reversing, as

might possibly occur in a small pnvatei to show throughv n'the visibleside ofisuch lant in, connection withsome disorder or porous matenal;The latter is. normally break down of the supply circuit or generawhiteand is, preferably marked with the tor, he may test at any momentwithout in- I legend Red means read this alliterative terrupti'ng 'thegcharging operation.- In this instructionebe'ing one which the userhaving situation, {the current passes down through once heard can never.forget. I This feature of the battery marked but through pole markedwire 32, terminal 6,-terminal4, wire 30, filament 52 to line. Thetesting switch maybe closedat any time, and if conditions havenotchanged, the current will 113a- ".elaboi atio'nwhich consists indyeing ,or otherwifse niarki with red, the wire conv rgileadsthefcuigrentto the storage battery orother translating device the otherpole, in absolute certainty that the 1115 wire31,"termi-nal 5,term1nali7,ywire 33', pole i25 flow from terminal 7 to terminal 6,through disk 41, saturated material 42, spring 43, cap 27 and connectingstrip 28-29, giving the red test. If the flow has been reversed, the redwill notappear.

Any desired adj ustrble or fixed resistance may be employed in place oflamp 52, or an adjustable resistance may be used in combination with afixed resistance or a combined fixed minimum resistance may be used inconnection with an additional adjustable resistance.

The device may be used as a simple polarity test wherever polarity is ofimportance, quite independently of its possible use as a chargingswitch. There are many ways in which this can be done, which willreadily suggest themselves. One of the simplest ar rangements, where thedevice is to be used solely for testing purposes, is to remove the cap23 so that binding posts 13 and 14 are visible. Then, if the spring 48is stamped with an arrow, 60, and the insulating block, 2, stamped ormolded with a line provided with arrow heads, as at 61, under the ruleof the legend Red means ready, the user will understand that the redtest indicates current flowing into binding post adjacent to said arrowheads, in the direction indicated by the latter. If the red test doesnot appear, the switch will be reversed to bring the other binding postadjacent to said arrow line; then, if there is any direct current in theline or device to be tested, the red must show upon depression of 43.

I may make the body 42 a part of the structure and impregnate it fromtime to time with a fresh supply. of liquid electrolyte, or I mayimpregnate the porous body with a suitable compound and subsequentlyrender it conducting by moistening it with water. This expedient isparticularly practicable in the caseof blot-ting paper or asbestosdisksf It will'be obvious to those skilled in the art thatthislclnent.oftlie'.

combination inayconsist of a tlSl; of. electrolytic salt. or of acomposition containing an admixture of solid electrolyte, whlch may thetesting contact, 44, in order that the electrolytic effects may bediffused over the, formcrand concentrated at the latter- In.-v

creased thickness of the poro-us.body,.44, facihtates diflusion andsmall current density over this large electrode, 41, as well as pre--vents the colored precipitate from diffusing comprising membersrelatiyely mpvable about acommon axis, said members hln-gpj: providedwith suitably insulated switching terminals pperated by relativemovement about said axis, one of said members carrying a normally opencircuit closer, adapted to be connected across said terminals at will, i

and a polarity testing device in series with and cont-rolled by saidcircuit closer.

2. A device of the character described,

comprising insulating members, mounted for movement about a common axis,in combination with suitable terminal members, adapted to close circuitbetween said adjacent surfaces, and a polarity indicator, on one of saidmembers.

3. A device of the character described,

consisting essentially of blocks of insulating material, in combinationwith a bolt forming a swivel connection between them, coopering currentthereto, comprising a large terminal and a small terminal.

5. A device of the character described, comprising members relativelymovable about a common axis, said members being provided. with suitablyinsulated contact making terminals, one of said members carrying apolarity testing device and a circuit controller adapted to closecircuit across said terminals and through said polarity testing device.

6. A device of the character described, comprising a cylindrical bodyconsisting of members relatively movable about the axis of saidcylinder, conducting terminals extending. through said members andadapted to extend across the joint between them, in combination with anelectrolyticv testing device. operatively supported upon the,cylindrical side of the larger of said relatively movable members andmeans for forming a 7. A device of the character described,

material, in combinationwitli a bolt forming a swivel connection betweenthem, cotiperatingpairs of contacts on adjacent surfaces of said .blocksequidistant from said bolt, the

, contacts phone of 'them,forming the ends of thaco ndnctors fromtheacurrent supply 1 A device of the, character described,

wl ilejtl encounte ntacts form the ends of t eueeml-ee t Q t1 rr t en g.

.115 closed circuit connection across said terminals and through saidelectrolyte.

ends of said blocks for inciosing and pro- 10 material, in combinationwith a bolt forming tectlng said circuit connections.

a swivel connection between them, cooperating pairs ofcontacts onadjacent surfaces of I Signed atNeW York citv in the county of filidblocks equidistant from said bolt, indei New York and State of New Yorkthis 19th pendent conducting connections, one for each day of October A.D. 1905.

l contact, extending through to the distant I MILLER REESE HUTCHISON.

ends of their respective blocks and terminat- I Witnesses: ing inindependent circuit connections, to- 1 G. O. DEAN, gether withdetachable caps fitted over the s H. G. STAGE.

